Tuesday, October 25, 2022
My life with Roger random thoughts in no particular order or significance…. Ocean trek to Barnegat Light with Roger at the helm of his Cruiser with our Kids in toe, heavy fog with no visibility and GPS navigation only. Stopped to view some Dolphins then made a surgical entry through the Barnegat Inlet side channel with one foot of draft to spare. Little did we know that at Low tide this option is a wall of rocks two feet above the ocean. This wall at high tide is now known as “Roger’s Rocks” as boaters pass through the top of the Inlet… Roger in Surf City holding court during a barbeque with our kids and their high school friend Howie who had gotten into a jam. When his parents were away Howie had a party at his house which got out of hand necessitating the use of a spade to empty the house toilet. This of course damaged the toilet and could expose that he had a party at the house and his parents were due home in a few days. Howie explained his dilemma to Roger with much anxiety as burgers sizzled on the Grill. Then in his classic way, Roger thought for a moment before coming up with the solution. It was simple, “deny, deny, deny!” he told Howie, I’m pretty sure Howie used this strategy… Every year decorating the Christmas tree with the famous “heavy bag” ornament, I wonder if Bobby Moody is still waiting for his Wheaties box photo… Coaching countless teams together, soccer - Rockaway Extreme with outlaw Dave Rebels, basketball with the “Twin Towers” and “scrappy Fins” and baseball – the Dodgers with more characters than could be contained…While coaching, Roger never met a referee he didn’t want to Jawbone… In Surf City fun times on Roger’s upper deck under the stars where the conversation became eclectic, especially with buc in attendance… In 1997 Roger joined our fantasy golf league Hackpack 4vr as “Bogey Schmoogie”. In his first year, he earned Rookie of the Year honors as he swept to the title and won the “Tommy” with a wire-to-wire dominating season. During his victory interview, he commented how wonderful the year-long experience had been… “Bogey” as he was known in the fantasy golf chat, became legendary with his lengthy Rants on all topics, some offering a glimpse into his fascinating life and others offering some unique insights on all things worldly… Bogey was so Iconic that the Hackpack 4vr annual golf outing was dubbed the “Boogie like Bogey Classic” by fellow golfer “Dick Daddy” after the first year where he dominated the team competition. In true Roger fashion he provided deli Sandwiches complete with Muffuletta and hot pepper spread made to order before and after the round… 2018 NFL draft night at the Montecristo lounge when I said Buffalo drafted the “wrong Josh”, Roger called the shot and said Allen was the real deal… lunches at Montecristo lounge, Roger loved the food, I agree, two cigars, three cocktails and a sandwich, who could argue… Barbeques at “Casa O” and by us, MYERS’S RUM and Coke, Cigars, Steaks, and Cards… Classic dining on our trip to Captiva Island, Florida, each night was superbly humorous. Of course, there were boating adventures as well, as we had a pontoon boat trapped in the middle of some type of cigarette boat event. This time I instructed Roger to cut the channel only to get beached… For years Friday night dinners at Smith’s Tavern were great times with no shortage of laughter and an occasional discussion on how Eli Manning is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and Phillip Rivers and Arron Rodgers suck dogs!... Roger was an out-of-the-box thinker a true entrepreneur who embraced every challenge in front of him…He was the “Salt of the Earth” with a huge heart and great compassion for others… He was always available, such a great friend who I had hoped to grow old with… love you, Brother!
Rick
